Syrian President Bashar Assad has slammed France for alleged “terrorist” support in his country, saying Paris is not independent and has “no weight and no credibility” in the face of Washington.

France has turned into “a kind of satellite for American foreign policy in the region,” and claimed Western tactics led to “terrorists infiltrating Syria,” Assad told France 2 TV channel.

“They have begun to attack civilians and destroy properties. Our role is to defend our society,” he added.

In the interview, Assad also denied having conducted alleged chemical attacks in the northwestern Idlib province last month – and accused the US of “creating the IS [Islamic State]” under their supervision.